16 U.S. Code § 1001 - Declaration of policy

Erosion, floodwater, and sediment damages in the watersheds of the rivers and streams of the United States, causing loss of life and damage to property, constitute a menace to the national welfare; and it is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should cooperate with States and their political subdivisions, soil or water conservation districts, flood prevention or control districts, and other local public agencies for the purpose of preventing such damages, of furthering the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water, and the conservation and utilization of land and thereby of preserving, protecting, and improving the Nation’s land and water resources and the quality of the environment.

(Aug. 4, 1954, ch. 656, § 1, 68 Stat. 666; Pub. L. 92–419, title II, § 201(a), Aug. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 667.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1972—Pub. L. 92–419 expanded the declaration of policy to include conservation and utilization of land, improvement of land and water resources, and quality of the environment.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Act Aug. 4, 1954, ch. 656, § 11, formerly § 9, 68 Stat. 668, as renumbered by act Aug. 7, 1956, ch. 1027, § 1(g), 70 Stat. 1090, provided that:

“This Act [enacting this chapter, amending section 701b of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 701b of Title 33] may be cited as the ‘Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act’.”

Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Proj­ects Exempt From Requirements for Independent Water Project Review

For exemption of projects under this chapter from independent water project review requirements of Ex. Ords. No. 12113 and 12141, see Pub. L. 96–528, title VI, § 622, Dec. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 3118, set out as a note under section 1962 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Extension of Benefits to Projects Authorized Before Aug. 7, 1956

Act Aug. 7, 1956, ch. 1027, § 2, 70 Stat. 1090, provided that sections 1006a and 1006b of this title and the amendments made by act Aug. 7, 1956 to sections 1002 to 1005 of this title should be applicable to all works of improvement and plans for such works under the provisions of this chapter and that any plans for works of improvement with respect to which the Secretary of Agriculture was authorized prior to Aug. 7, 1956 to participate in the installation of works of improvement in accordance with such plan, or any plan for works of improvement which had received prior to Aug. 7, 1956 the approval of congressional committees, need not be submitted to the congressional committees as required by this chapter.